Two area students nominated to military academies

Seth Horsley

Wilson Pingrey

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U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, Tuesday announced the nominations of two Carroll County high school seniors to the nation’s military academies.Seth Horsley has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Seth is the son of Duane and Kris Horsley and is a senior at Carroll High School.Wilson Pingrey has been nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. Wilson is the son of Kenneth and Julie Pingrey and is a senior at Coon Rapids-Bayard High School.From the senator’s nominees, the academy then selects the final candidates who will be offered an appointment. Harkin nominated 38 Iowa students for appointments to the U.S. Air Force, Naval, Merchant Marine and Military academies for the class entering in 2013. “I would like to congratulate these students for their many outstanding achievements,” Harkin said in a statement. “An academy nomination is a great honor because of the intense competition for these nominations across the state of Iowa.”In a typical year, Harkin receives more than 150 applications from young Iowans interested in pursuing a career as a military officer. Students apply for admission to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.; the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md.; the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colo.; or the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y.Academy nomination finalists are interviewed by Harkin’s Academy Selection Board, during which time their motivation, poise and self-expression are measured. Harkin may nominate up to 10 applicants to compete for each available vacancy. “In order for an individual to be nominated, he or she must demonstrate superior leadership, academic and athletic abilities,” Harkin said. “Nominees also must exhibit the necessary motivation for serving in the demanding role of a career military officer and be of outstanding moral character.” After March 1, 2013, men and women between the ages of 17 and 22 who are interested in pursuing a nomination to one of the academies for the class entering in 2014, should go to www.harkin.senate.gov and complete Harkin’s online service academy application, or they may contact Harkin’s Cedar Rapids office at (319) 365-4504.